Audio
Shorts
Movies & Games
Blog & Stories
Sam is back — and October just got a lot more sinister.
Michael Dougherty, the filmmaker behind Trick ’r Treat, has officially launched SAM: THE SOUL OF HALLOWEEN, a new creative project dedicated to one of modern horror’s most recognizable Halloween characters.
The project officially went live on October 1, 2026, with a new website, social channels, original content and the first new animated short featuring Sam.
And this time, Sam isn’t returning for just one movie.
Sam Has a New Home for Halloween
SAM: THE SOUL OF HALLOWEEN is designed as a new creative home for Sam, bringing together animated shorts, illustrations, artist collaborations, merchandise and other original Halloween content.
Rather than limiting Sam to a single style, Dougherty has invited artists and filmmakers from different backgrounds and countries to reinterpret the character through animation, illustration, sculpture, photography and stop-motion.
The project is intended to run throughout October, giving fans something new to discover as Halloween approaches.
Dougherty described the project as a return to Sam’s original handmade roots, pointing back to the short film that introduced the character before Trick ’r Treat became a cult horror favorite.
The First New Sam Short Is Here
The October 1 launch also comes with a new animated short titled “Hello October.”
The short is less than a minute long and places Sam in a graveyard holding a glowing pumpkin while ghosts rise from the surrounding graves.
It serves as a fitting introduction to the month-long celebration and brings Sam back into animation.
Dougherty directed the short, with Breehn Burns serving as animation director. Burns and Ye Aung handled the animation, while Rory Dise and Aung worked on character designs and backgrounds.
For longtime fans, the animated approach is especially interesting because Sam’s history began on the page and in animation long before his appearance in Trick ’r Treat.
Sam’s Story Started 30 Years Ago
While many horror fans know Sam from Trick ’r Treat, the character actually goes back further.
Michael Dougherty originally created Sam for Season’s Greetings, a four-minute animated short made in 1996 while he was a film student at New York University.
That short introduced the mysterious little trick-or-treater who would eventually become Sam.
Now, 30 years after Season’s Greetings, the original short has received a new 4K restoration and is returning to screens at genre festivals and independent theaters during October.
The anniversary screenings are taking place at more than 30 festivals and independent theaters, including events connected with Screamfest, the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, Telluride Horror Show and other horror-focused venues.
What Else Is Coming?
The new Sam project isn’t stopping with “Hello October.”
Throughout the month, fans can expect additional short films, artwork and creative collaborations featuring different interpretations of Sam.
The announced artists include Mike Baird, Breehn Burns, Sam Furst, Richard Garcia, Cyrus Haley, Austin Pardun, Alexander Ray, Steven Rhodes, Ryan Sawyer, Christopher Shy, Trent Shy, Christopher Waltemate and Michael Ballif, with additional collaborations expected to be revealed.
That gives the project a different approach from a traditional movie sequel or franchise announcement.
Instead of one new feature-length story, Sam is becoming the centerpiece of an expanding Halloween art and animation project.
New Sam Merchandise Is Also Coming
The launch also introduces an official SAM: THE SOUL OF HALLOWEEN online shop.
The first merchandise releases include T-shirts, posters, pins, stickers and other artwork, with more products planned throughout the project.
Some of the merchandise is being created in collaboration with the artists involved in expanding Sam’s world, meaning fans will be able to collect different interpretations of the character.
Does This Mean Trick ’r Treat 2?
Not exactly.
The October 1 announcement is focused on SAM: THE SOUL OF HALLOWEEN, rather than announcing a new Trick ’r Treat feature film.
The confirmed project consists of new shorts, artwork, collaborations, merchandise and the celebration of Season’s Greetings.
That distinction is important for fans hoping for another full-length Trick ’r Treat movie: this announcement does not confirm a new feature film or sequel.
Instead, it expands Sam’s presence through smaller pieces of Halloween storytelling and art.
Sam Is More Than Just a Horror Character
One reason Sam has remained so recognizable is that he represents something bigger than a conventional horror villain.
He is closely connected to the traditions, rules and atmosphere of Halloween itself.
That’s also why returning to Season’s Greetings makes sense for the 30th anniversary.
Before Sam became associated with Trick ’r Treat, he existed as Dougherty’s handmade interpretation of Halloween — a mysterious trick-or-treater with a much darker side.
SAM: THE SOUL OF HALLOWEEN appears to be returning to that idea while allowing new artists to explore the character in completely different ways.
A New Halloween Tradition?
With October now underway, Sam’s return arrives at exactly the right time.
A new animated short has already launched, more content is planned throughout the month, the restored Season’s Greetings is returning to screens, and new merchandise is available.
For Trick ’r Treat fans, it also provides a chance to see Sam outside the familiar 2007 movie and back in the creative world where the character originally began.
And if the October project continues beyond these first announcements, Sam could be heading into an entirely new chapter.
What Do You Think?
Are you excited to see Sam: The Soul of Halloween bring new shorts and stories to the character?
And would you rather see Michael Dougherty create more animated Sam stories, or are you still waiting for a new full-length Trick ’r Treat movie?
Tell us what you think in the comments.
Stay spooky. Stay curious. Stay with GHorror.
